All posts by pac217

Amanda, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services, ,

Amanda, a Law student, was interested in a career in Law after completing multiple work experience placements and identified a need to learn about the recruitment process of graduate-level law jobs. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Amanda was matched with a Solicitor for Irwin Mitchel, specialising in the Medical Negligence Team. This mentor has also worked as a Solicitor for Slater and Gordon and a Trainee Solicitor for Coffin Mew LLP.

“The mock interview was a fantastic opportunity to improve my skills and try to ease my nerves.”

Amanda achieved all of her objectives including improving interview technique, structuring cover letters and gaining open day tips.

Amanda described her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

The mock interview was a fantastic opportunity to improve my skills and try to ease my nerves. Meeting for a career focused chat for the first time was really useful and reassuring. Confirmed the type of law I wanted to go into.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen profession.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

I would definitely recommend this to gain insight and industry specific advice as well as practical tips from someone with the relevant experience.

Jake, Charity and Development

Charity and Development Work, Geography, ,

Jake, a Geography student, was interested in charity work after volunteering in the sector with a variety of organisations. He wanted to gain contacts and develop a deeper insight into the industry. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Jake was matched with the Founder & Managing Director of Bhubesi Pride Foundation. His previous work experience includes Design, Technology and Physics Teacher at Dean Close School and Graduate Engineer for Parsons Brinckernoff.

“A great way to learn real life experience from someone who has been successful”

Jake achieved all of his objectives, including receiving academic support, increased knowledge of job hunting in this sector and improved personal development skills. He also described a personal objective of “working on a personal development plan throughout the scheme, allowed me to identify how I can improve myself through different scenarios.”

Jake shared his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Feeling as though I and Richard really got on well, both on a professional and personal level. I feel as though Richard believes in me as a person and really wants to push me forward in life.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having a one to one basis for experience in the charity sector was probably the most useful. Richard and I worked on much of the development on the same level, and I liked the way that I could suggest improvements for myself as I progressed through the scheme.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Great way to learn real life experience in your charity from someone who has been successful and only wants the best for you! It may be scary at first but once you meet them then you’ll feel suddenly more relaxed.

Lucy, Charity and Development

Charity and Development Work, English, , , ,

Lucy, English Literature student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain understanding of the Charity Sector and increase her employability. Through the scheme, she was matched with the Fundraising and Communications Manager for Headway Devon. Her role includes creating fundraising and marketing strategies, bidding for public sector contracts and disseminating press releases. This mentor also has a Certificate in Fundraising Management with the Institute of Fundraising.

“I was lucky to have a very motivated and involved mentor, who was well matched to what I wanted out of the scheme.”

Lucy achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession, received work experience/ job shadowing and increased knowledge of sector entry requirements.

Lucy shared some of her experiences;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I was offered work experience at Headway which I really enjoyed, insofar as I applied for a part-time job there and was successful. I am now working at Headway Devon 20 hours a week, which has been great having just finished my degree.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The work experience, as well as discussions with Holly, really helped me to gain an insight into the charity sector. Now employed in that sector, I feel more confident about working in the third sector, such as its demands, what skills are useful, and so on…

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

I would say that the amount that you put into the scheme is the amount that you will get out of it. Prepare properly for meetings and take the meetings seriously, otherwise you won’t get as much from it as you otherwise would. Respect your mentor. And finally, make sure you apply for a mentor or sector that you really are considering working in, otherwise you could waste your own as well as your mentor’s time.

Jordan, Financial Markets and the City

economics, Financial Markets and the City, , , , ,

Jordan, an Economics and Finance student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to receive advice and guidance from somebody who understands his position and can advise of where best to target his career efforts. Through the scheme, Jordan was matched with an Investment Director for Lonsdale Capital Partners LLP. This role involves originating, assessing and executing investments and management of portfolios. This mentor is also an ACA qualified accountant.

“It is good to know that my career journey has been helped by having a mentor”

Jordan achieved all of his objectives including widened contacts and networking opportunities, received work experience and job shadowing therefore greatly increasing his knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector.

Jordan shared his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I can see how my path, over the last year, has been positively influenced by having Mr. Knott as a mentor. It is good to know that my career journey has been helped by having a mentor, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insights into the mentalities/personalities of people working in banks, hedge funds and private equity. Coming from a daunting outsider’s perspective, it was helpful to realise that the people working in these roles are human too.

Asri, Education, Training and Research

Education Teaching and Research, , ,

Asri, a M.Ed TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learning more about teaching and training strategies, experiences and methods. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Asri was matched with a self-employed Education Consultant and Freelance Musician. His previous job roles include National Coordinator of Applied Learning and Vocational Education Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, Head of Applied Learning Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and Teacher Trainer for the Open University.

“I can share my dreams as well as learning from my mentor.”

Asri achieved all of her objectives including learning from the mentor’s experience about the field interest in, received work experience and job shadowing thereby increasing her knowledge of sector entry requirements.

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I could network in Exeter related to my job field. I had contact with teachers and some schools as well.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I got an idea of how the job that I want is implemented in UK, and I can share my dreams as well as learning from my mentor.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Students have to really sure that they have enough time to manage their mentoring program with their assignments, so that the program will work well.

Asri intends to stay in contact with her mentor beyond the scheme and would recommend the scheme to a friend.

Preslav, Engineering and Product Design

Computer Science, Engineering and Product Design,

Preslav, a Computer Science student, was interested in pursuing a career in the Information Technology sector and so wanted to build strong contact within the industry, learn more about different aspects of the sector and gain realistic insight. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, he was matched with the Head of Product for Crowdcude Ltd. This role involves leading the Product Management team and coordinating the design, development, and launch of products for users. This mentor also has worked as Product Manager for Google in both Sydney and California, and Sustaining Development Engineer for Sun Microsystems.

“You can only benefit from this scheme.”

Preslav achieved all of his objectives including broadening his knowledge about what it is like to work in a big company, improved personal development skills and increased knowledge of sector entry requirements.

Preslav shared his experience with us:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Learning more about the Mentor’s experience, talking about future technologies with him, getting a clear understanding of what interviewers expect from the candidates and how to stand out from the crowd.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

You can only benefit from this scheme.

Sophia, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, , , ,

Sophia, a Philosophy, Politics and Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to further her job prospects and possibilities through advice from an experienced professional. Sophia particularly wanted to gain confidence in her interview techniques and skills. Through the scheme, Sophia was matched with an Accounting and Finance Alumnus who is now a Global Sarbanes Oxley Analyst & CSA Operations Manager for Procter & Gamble. This mentor is certified in Internal Audit and has 11 years of experience in this role, working in over 20 countries.

“Advice that you would not have had the opportunity to get without the scheme.”

Sophia achieved all of her objective including improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector, increased knowledge of find internships and work experience in this sector and a increased knowledge of job hunting resources in this sector.

Sophia gave us some insight into her experience;

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into possible career paths and what they entailed and help with internship application forms and advice with confidence etc.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It is a really good source of information and advice that you would not have had the opportunity to get without the scheme.

Alexander, Insurance, Pensions and Actuarial

Business and Management, economics, Insurance Pensions and Actuarial, ,

Alexander, a Business Economics student, became interested in the Insurance industry after completing work experience with a reputable insurance firm in London. He applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to help confirm whether this was the career path he definitely wanted to take and to gain an understanding of what would be required of him as a graduate. Through the scheme, Alexander was paired with a Consultant for MW Enterprises. This mentor’s previous job roles include four Managing Directors positions at Integro, Towergate Specialist Risks, TL Risk Solutions and Towry Law after beginning his career as a Graduate Management Trainee at Royal & Sun Alliance.

“If you know you want to go into a similar industry as your mentor then 100% go for it.”

Alexander achieved all of his objectives including help to secure a graduate job, improved personal development skills and increased knowledge of effective interview technique in this sector.

Alexander shared some of his experiences;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Skyping and building a relationship with my mentor. We really get along.

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

The information that only a current industry expert could provide, gave me invaluable insight into the industry which was crucial at interviews.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

If you know you want to go into a similar industry as your mentor then 100% go for it.

Ryan, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services, , , ,

Ryan, a Law student, knew that he wanted to specialise in Corporate or Patenting Law but wanted to build up a network and become familiar with the working life in the legal profession. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Ryan was matched with a Senior Patent Examiner for the European Patent Office. This role involves using speaking three European languages and keeping up to date with worldwide changes. This mentor has a Physics PhD and has worked for Epson Cambridge Labs and the Physics Department at the University of Exeter.

“It helped me decide whether or not I wanted to go into this field”

Ryan achieved many objectives including receiving help to improve CV, increased knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector and increased knowledge of how to create an effective application form in this sector.

Ryan shared some insight of his experience;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I found that being able to talk to someone that came from a background besides law was really cool especially since they were in intellectual property which I am really interested in.

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

I found that the insight into the sector was really useful and helped me decide whether or not I wanted to go into this field.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It is really useful and helps you explore a profession from an informal point of view and in a friendly atmosphere.

Ryan would recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to a friend and intends to stay in contact with his mentor.

Rachael, Law and Legal Services

law, Law and Legal Services, , ,

Rachael, a Law student, had been researching a career path at the bar prior to applying to the Career Mentor Scheme. She already had work experience as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal and Claims Handler, but wanted to receive first-hand advice about the career path and receive networking advice. Through the scheme, Rachael was matched with a Barrister for Guildhall Chambers. This mentor specialises in commercial law and financial disputes, and, has also worked for Lloyds Bank as an in-house Legal Advisor.

“Go for it, even if the person you would like to be your mentor is intimidatingly brilliant”

Rachael achieved all of her objectives for the Career Mentor Scheme, including receiving academic support, widening her contacts and networking opportunities and received work experience/ job shadowing.

Rachael shared her experience of the scheme:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Visiting my mentor’s chambers was fantastic and also watching him in court in Cardiff and in London courts.

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

Mainly insight into my chosen profession and work experience.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Go for it, even if the person you would like to be your mentor is intimidatingly brilliant, still apply and try. Don’t let the odds of a rejection worry you, it’s always worth a shot.